Fish Guide

Public Water Guide

Southwest Nebraska offers large reservoirs, rivers, canals and smaller lakes for the enjoyment of anglers and campers. Anglers can try for many species, including channel catfish, bluegill, walleye, crappie, perch and bass. Most areas have both modern and primitive camping facilities available.

District Supervisor - Southwest
North Platte Office - Monte Madsen
308.535.8025 or Fax 308.535.8028

Page 2 of 5

Public Water Southwest Nebraska
Water Resource - Name/Location	Species/Regs & Remarks
Red Willow SRA (Hugh Butler Lake) Frontier County 1,630 Located 11N of McCook Lake Countour Map - PDF   JPG Image	Species: Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Crappie, Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass Hybrid (wiper), Walleye, White Bass Area Regs: Northern pike - 30-inch minimum length Remarks: Modern camping; all boats allowed. Reservoir drawn down until dam repaired
Hayes Center Lake WMA Hayes County 50 Located 12NE of Hayes Center Lake Countour Map - PDF   JPG Image	Species: Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass Area Regs: Remarks: Electric motor or nonpowered boats allowed.
Swanson Reservoir SRA Hitchcock County 5,000 Located 2W of Trenton Lake Countour Map - PDF   JPG Image	Species: Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Crappie, Flathead Catfish, Freshwater Drum, Striped Bass Hybrid (wiper), Walleye, White Bass Area Regs: Remarks: All boats allowed. Subject to severe summer drawdowns. Modern and primitive camping
Lake McConaughy SRA Keith County 30,000 Located 10N of Ogallala	Species: Bullhead, Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass Hybrid (wiper), Walleye, White Bass , Yellow Perch Area Regs: It is unlawful to possess a walleye on that portion of Otter Creek from the junction at the shore of the lake upstream to, and including, the culvert under Nebraska Hwy. 92 Remarks: Modern and primitive camping; all boats allowed. Subject to severe summer drawdowns. Fish cleaning station in Martin Bay. From sunset to sunrise, April 1-30, fishing from a boat within 30 yards of the dam allowed only on that portion of the dam 200 feet north of the morning glory (outlet), with travel in a south-to-north (counter clockwise) direction required
Lake Ogallala SRA Keith County 650 Located 10N of Ogallala Lake Countour Map - PDF   JPG Image	Species: Channel Catfish, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass Hybrid (wiper), Walleye, White Bass , Yellow Perch Area Regs: Remarks: Modern/primitive camping; boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake), wheelchair-accessible deck. Fish cleaning station in the NW corner. Renovated in 2009
Chester Island WMA Lincoln County 4 Located 2S, 1/2W of Brady	Species: Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass Area Regs: Remarks: No boats. Walk-in access only
North Platte River Keith County Located Keystone to Paxton	Species: Rainbow Trout Area Regs: Remarks: Private access, permission required
Otter Creek Keith County Located 12E of Lewellen	Species: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout Area Regs: Remarks: Private property, permission required
Sutherland Supply Canal Keith County Located	Species: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout Area Regs: Remarks: Access via CNPPID road
CNPPID Canal (Tri County) Lincoln County Located North Platte to Lexington	Species: Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass Hybrid (wiper), Walleye, White Bass Area Regs: Remarks: Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake)

Region ....: Select a Region Panhandle Sandhills Northeast Southeast South Central Southwest I-80 Lakes Select a region

Species ....: Example: bass